Charges filed against Monessen woman in standoff
A Monessen woman was charged after she allegedly pointed a shotgun at herself and created a police standoff at her home.
On Friday, Monessen police arrived at the home of Dayna Marie Shuma, 43, of 1224 Reeves Ave. at 3:12 p.m. to serve a bench warrant out of Allegheny County concerning an overdose incident at the residence.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Officer William Dennison waited nearly 20 minutes outside of Shuma’s home, conversing with her until she agreed to unlock the back door.
When the officers entered the home, Shuma locked herself in a bedroom.
Dennison observed stamp bags of heroin on a dresser next to two syringes that were not there when he was at the home earlier that day.
Shuma asked through the door why they were in the house and if they had a warrant, and Dennison told her they did, according to the charges.
Shuma didn’t open the door and stated that she would “rather die than go to jail,” police alleged.
Dennison stated in the affidavit that he feared Shuma would harm herself, and he forced his way into the bedroom to find Shuma grabbing a shotgun off her bed, police said.
After Dennison drew his weapon, Shuma placed the shotgun barrel under her chin and again stated that she would rather die than go to jail, police said.
Dennison and the other officers exited the home and called for backup.
Multiple police officers from different departments positioned themselves in a nearby parking lot to cover the rear of the residence as well as on Watkins Street to cover the side of the residence where Shuma was located, police said.
Dennison stated in court filings that the situation in the surrounding neighborhood was a state of panic as people ran for cover into their homes.
“Surrounding houses (were) either evacuated or the occupants were directed into their basement to increase their level of safety,” he wrote.
Dennison was located at the front of the residence and used a police vehicle’s public address system to order Shuma out of the residence, but after multiple orders Shuman didn’t respond.
Another officer spoke with Shuma on the phone multiple times to get her to surrender, and during that time a shot rang out from inside the home. Police said they later confirmed that she negligently discharged the shotgun.
Shuma eventually surrendered to police and was taken to Mon Valley Hospital for evaluation, according to court papers.
Two counts of recklessly endangering another person and one count each of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct were filed against Shuma before Magisterial District Judge Joseph A. Dalfonso on Monday.
A preliminary hearing for Shuma has not yet been scheduled.